Apparatus for forming shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores



, .1960 e. A. CONGER APPARATUS FOR Oct. 11

. FORMING SHAPED ARTICLES SUCH 7 s FOUNDRY MOLDS AND CORES Filed Sept... 2, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 1 TOR.

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GERALD omen? j FIG. BY v I A TTOENFYS ,G. A. CONGER 2,955,332

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHAPED. ARTICLES SUCH s FOUNDRY MOLDS AND CORES. Filed Sept. 2. 1958 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y INVENTOR. GERALD A. Comes/2- BY, a

ATTORNEYS Oct. 11, 1960 G. A. CONGER 2,955,332

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHAPED ARTICLES SUCH AS FOUNDRY MOLDS AND CORES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1958 A D m m 6 ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHAPED ARTICLES SUCH AS FOUNDRY MOLDS AND CORES Gerald A. Conger, Detroit,'Mich., assignor to C & S Products Company, Inc., Detroit, Mich a corporation of Michigan FiledSept. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 758,225 8 Claims. (Cl. 22'47) This invention relates generally to apparatus for forming shaped articles such as molds and cores from foundry I sand or the like wherein a-sectional pattern is carried cyclically between a station where it is charged with sand and another station where the pattern is opened and the shaped article is removed therefrom. r

A. principal object of the invention is to provide a simple inexpensive improved structurefor separating the pattern sections along a parting line tofacilitate removal of the shaped articles at the unloading: station and to facilitate reclosing the pattern sections for receiving another charge of sand in a subsequent molding cycle.

The invention generally contemplates securing to the upper pattern section" a frame having depending sets of legs with the legs of one set being pivoted: to the frame. An elevator engages the legs to raise the upperjpattern section away from. the lower pattern section. and the elevator and pivoted set of legshave parts which interengage to form a rigid joint; Alever on the frame projects laterally of the pivoted legs and engages a stop to tilt the frame and. upper pattern section after the pattern sections have been parted. The pattern. sections re-engage along the parting line when the elevator is lowered and the joint between the elevator and legs then disconnects to enable the pattern to be. transported away from the unloading station. One .form'of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a partly diagrammatic elevational view of molding apparatus utilizing the structure ofv this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary generally elevational view illustrating the apparatus of this invention in a position wherein the pattern is open.

Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic plan view of a reciprocating rotating conveyer with itsv central portion tion shown insection.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Fig. Sis a plan view of a vertical carrier for the upper pattern section. v

Fig. 6 is an enlargedv fragmentary view illustrating structure at one of the pivoted legsof the carrier for the upper pattern section.

2,955,332 Patented Oct. 11, 1960* 27 isoperably connected to the conveyer through gearing 28'for rotating the conveyer preferably in a reciprocating manner for carrying pattern boxes 25 cyclically to the charging station beneath hopper 11 and to a mold removal station shown as being on the left side of the column as the drawings are viewed. t

Conveyer 26 comprises a pair of beams 29 and 30 secured to a central portion 31 driven by gearing 28. A

fluid pressure motor 35 is operably connected to a table 35a vertically movable beneath hopper '11 for raising a a pattern box 25 into charging engagement with sand noze movement of the table.

zles 22 and for lowering the charged pattern or pattern box into engagement with conveyer 26'. A vertical guide rod b is through an Vertical guide rods 36 are threaded into openings in conveyer beams 29 and 30 and slidably engage in openings provided in a base flange 37 on pattern box 25' for guiding vertical movement thereof and for positioning the pattern box on conveyer 26.

In general operation of the apparatus an empty pattern is mounted on the left hand portion of conveyer 26. The'conveyer is rotated '180 degrees until the pattern is beneath hopper 11. The pattern is then elevated to receive a charge of sand from nozzles 22 and is again lowered. Conveyer 26 is then rotated 180 degrees in the opposite direction to return the. charged pattern .to its original station. The patternis preferably provided with electric heating elements (not shown) which bake and cure the sand in the pattern. The conveyer is. re-

, ciprocally rotated so that the electric conduits for the Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally H on line 7-7 of Figure 6 with parts illustrated in phantom. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary. plan view of the-elevator for the upper pattern section carrier.

The molding apparatus 10 illustrated in Figure 1. includes a hopper 11 for containing foundry sand vertically adjustably mounted on a base '12 through lugs 13 and 14 resting onJprojecting portions 15 and 16- of collars secured by threaded means to. upright posts 17 and 18. Posts 17 are suspended from a cap 19 over the. top of a large central" cylindrical columnltl restingon the base and posts 18 are secured. directly to the-basev 11 is "furnished with compressed airthrough. aconduit 21 for forcing foundry sand throughnozzles 22 in the base of the: hopper into a pattern box 25 through op'en ings 25' therein. A..conveyer 261isljournaledth'rough suitable bearings around central column 20 and a motor 62 for engaging the under surface 6%v of pattern (not shown) can be directly connected into the patternswithout the use of slip rings. When the pattern has been returned to its original station its cope or upper section 38 is elevated away from its drag or lower section 39, the two sections separating along a generally horizontally extending parting line 40. The shaped article is removed from the pattern, the pattern sections are reengaged with each other and the cycle is repeated. It will be understood that in the apparatus illustrated, two patterns are in the cycle described, one being mounted on each arm of conveyer 26. Suitable mechanical and electrical means may be provided for automatically carrying out the cycle and a control panel 41 may be provided for the operating mechanism.

The present invention is specifically concerned with the apparatus for opening pattern 25 after an article has been shaped therein andreclosing the pattern after the article has been removed.

This apparatus includes a carrier 45 for upper pattern section 38 and an elevator 46 for raising and lowering the carrier. Carrier 45 includes a generally rigid frame composed of members 47-50 which is secured to upper pattern section 38 through beams 51 and 52, bolted to frame members 47 and 49 as at 53 in turn having cross beams 54 and 55 bolted thereto as at 56. Cross beams 54 and 55- supportingly engage: a flange 58 on .upper patternsection 38. Abifurcate lever 60 projects laterally of frame member 50 and a pin 61 extending between the lever portions supports one or more rollers a stop member 2 64vertically adjustablysecured on central column 20.

Hopper To facilitate this verticaladjustment, stop 64 comprises a projection on one of two semi-circular collar members 65 and 66 bolted together around the collar by bolts, 67.

Two sets of legs dependfrom the corners of the frame portion of carrier -45, the pairof legs 7!) remote froni central column Zil being rigidwitli the frame an'd the pair. of legs 71 adjacent the. column being pivotally mounted on the frame through pivots 72. Each pivot supported by a portion of the frame and a pivotsu'pport member 73 secured to theouter face of each' -frame menu her 47 and 49 through a spacing element 74 (Figs. 6 and 7). This provides a space between the pivot support 73 and the frame member for receiving the upper end of pivoted leg 71. Spacer 74 has a bore 75 (Fig. 7) with a plunger stem 76 operably disposed therein,-pthe'plunger head 77 engaging a side face of leg 71 adjacent its upper end. The plunger is urged by a spring 78. into engage ment with a side of the leg and a screw 79 is provided behind spring 78 to regulate the stress in the spring. Plunger head 77 and the fiat face of leg 71 co-operate to retain leg 71 against unintentional swinging movement.

Elevator 46 includes a base 82 secured to the piston rod 83 of a fluid pressure motor 84 arranged to raise and lower the elevator in a generally vertical direction. Guide rods 83a attached to base, 82 pass slidably through apertured portions of base 12 for guiding movement of the elevator (Fig. 2). Elevator 46 also includes four upstand ing corner posts vertically aligned with corner legs 70 and 71 of carrier 45. The pair of posts 85 underlying outer "carrier legs 70 and corner posts 86 underlying pivoted legs 71 are interconnected by rails 87 for purposes of rigidity and also for supporting carrier legs 70 and 71. Posts '86 have extensions 88 projecting above rails 87 and forming pins for telescoping engagement within longitudinal sock- 'ets 89 in the lower ends of pivoted carrier legs'71; Outer elevator posts 85 have relatively small taper projections 90 engageable in complementary recesses 91 in the bottom ends of legs 70. V

Elevator 46 also includes a table 94 supported on base '82 through posts 95 for engaging conventional core stripping pins 96 depending below lower pattern section 39.

In operation it may be assumed that pattern box 25 has received a charge of foundry sand from hopper 11 in the manner described and that conveyer 26 has been actuated to transport the pattern to the unloading station at the left hand side of Fig. 1. The sand has been heated and cured within the pattern and the pattern is ready to be unloaded. Elevator 46 is in the lower position of Fig. 1 and upper pattern section 38 is still engaged against lower pattern section 39 along parting line 40. To open pattern 25 fluid under pressure is introduced to motor 84 for elevating the piston and piston rod 83. This movernent raises elevator base 82 and carries posts 85 and 86 upwardly. Pins 88 telescopingly engage within sockets 89 in pivoted legs 71 and tapered projections 90 engage within recesses 91 in legs 70. Carrier legs 70 and 71 bottom against rails '87.

Upon continued upward movement of the elevator, carrier 45 is moved upwardly and upper pattern section 38 separates from the lower pattern section. Carrier 45 and upper pattern section continue in their upward path of movement until rollers 62 engage the under surface 63 of stop 64. Upon continued upward movement of elevator 46 and carrier 45 the frame portion of carrier 45 together with upper pattern section 38 are levered about pivots 72 at the upper ends of legs 71 by co-operation of lever 60 and stop 64. This tilts the carrier frame and upper pattern section to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 where by suitable controls upward movement of the elevator is discontinued.

It will be noted that interengaging '89 provide a rigid joint between the elevator and carrier facilitating the tilting movement. Also the relatively small size of taper projections 90 and recesses 91 enable carrier legs 79 to swing away from engagement with rails 87. During tilting movement of the carrier frame, rollers 62 roll on stop surface 63 in a lateral direction to provide minimal resistance to the tilting movement. During this upward movement table 94 engages depending core stripping pins 96 and forces them upwardly into lower pattern section 39 in a conventional manner for stripping the shaped article S out of' he low'er pattern section. The shaped article may then be removed from the lower pattern section.

After shaped article pins 88 and sockets S has been removed from the patworking space facilitating unloading of the tern the pressure in fluid motor 84 is reversed or exhausted to lower piston rod 83 and elevator 46. In the initial downward movement of the elevator, legs 71 move straight downwardly and the carrier frame and attached top pattern section tilt down to a generally horizontal position in which the lower ends of legs re-engage rails 87. Upon continued downward movement of the elevator the entire carrier and upper pattern section move vertically downward until upper pattern section 38 engages lower pattern section 39 on parting line 40. The lower pattern section forms a stop restraining further downward movement of upper pattern section and carrier 45 but elevator 46 continues its downward movement until pins 88 have withdrawn from sockets 89 to disconnect the joint between the elevator and carrier. At the bottom of this downward movement pins 88 are spaced below carrier 26 which is then free to swing for carrying the unloaded pattern to a position beneath hopper 11 for recharging with foundry sand. This swinging movement carries another loaded pattern 25 above elevator 46 and the unloading procedure may be repeated.

One of the principal advantages of the mold unloading apparatus is that the tilting movement provides maximum lower pattern section and maintenance of the pattern sections while at the same time requiring only a moderate length of travel for elevator 82. Moreover, the pin and socket joint between the elevator and carrier legs 71 is very simple and inexpensive and the co-operating stop and lever parts 60- 67 are also simple inexpensive and virtually foolproof. The co-operating parts of the apparatus have minimal tendency toward malfunctioning caused by dirt, wear and the like.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for forming shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores from sand or the like comprising, a pattern having sections which are separable from each other along a parting line, support means supporting one of said sections, frame means having a portion secured to the other section and pivoted means thereon, frame actuating means mounted for advancing movement and return movement relative to said frame means, said pivoted means and actuating means having parts which interengage to form a generally rigid joint therebetween responsive to advancement of said actuating means toward said frame means, said actuating means being operable through said joint to move said frame means upon advancing movement thereof for separating said pattern sections and carrying said portion of said frame means and other pattern section in a path of movement, said frame means having lever means projecting laterally of the pivot of said pivoted means and transversely of said path of movement, means forming a stop in the path of movement of said lever means against which said lever means is engageable, said lever means and stop cooperating upon continued movement of said pivoted element in said path of movement to tilt said portion of said frame means and said other pattern section relative to said one pattern section, whereby to facilitate removal of a shaped article from said pattern, said actuating means in said return movement thereof returning said frame means to reengage said pattern sections, said one pattern section forming a stop restraining return movement of said frame means when said pattern sections are engaged, said joint being detachable by continued return movement of said actuating means.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said pivoted means and actuating means have telescoping parts 'which interengage upon advancing movement of said actuating means to form a generally rigid pin and socket type joint, said joint being detachable by said continued return movement of said actuating means as described.

3.- Apparatus for forming shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores from sand or the likecomprising, a pattern having sections which are separable from .said surface in 2.

pivoted means and actuating means having parts which interengage to'form a through said joint to move saidfra'me means upon advancing movement thereof for. separating said pattern sections and carrying said portions of said frame means and said other pattern section in a path of movement, said frame means having lever means projecting laterally of the pivot of said pivoted means andtransversely-of said path of movement, means forming a stop in the path of movement of said lever means and having a surface, said lever means having roller means thereon engageable against said surface, said lever means and stop cooperating-upon continued movement of said pivoted means in said path of movement to tilt said portion of said frame means and said other pattern section relative to said one pattern section, whereby to facilitate removal of a shaped article from said pattern, said roller means rolling on direction transverse to said path of movement upon said continued movement of said pivoted means to facilitate the tilting of said frame and other pattern section, said movement of said actuating means.

4. Apparatus for forming shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores from sand or the like comprising, a pattern having sections which are separable from each other along a parting line, support means supporting one of said sections, frame means having a portion secured to the other section and including a plurality of elements extending in a direction transverse to the general direction of said parting line, at least one of said elements being mounted through a pivot on said portion of said frame means, frame actuating means mounted for movement toward and away from said elements for engaging and disengaging the same, the pivoted element and said actuating means having parts which cooperate to form a generally rigid joint therebetween responsive to interengagement of said elements and actuating means, said actuating means being operable through said joint to move said frame means when engaged therewith for separating said pattern sections and carrying said frame and other pattern section in a path of movement, said frame means having lever means projecting laterally of said pivot and transversely of said path of movement, means forming a stop in the path of movement of said lever means against which said lever means is engageable, said lever means and stop cooperating upon continued movement of said pivot element in said path of movement to tilt said other portion of said frame and said other pattern section relative to said one pattern section, whereby to facilitate removal of a shaped article from said pattern, said actuating means being returnable for returning said frame means to reengage said pattern sections, said one pattern section forming a stop restraining return movement of said frame means when said pattern sections are engaged, said joint being detachable by continued movement of said actuating means from said elements.

5. Apparatus for forming shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores from sand and the like comprising, a pattern having an upper section and a lower section which are separable from each other along a parting line, support means support advancing movement and return movement relative to said frame means, said- I generally rigid joint therebetween responsive to advancement of said actuating meanstoward said frame means, said actuating means being operable generally centrally located,

generally horizontal parting line, means forming a carrier secured to the upper section, leg means mountedo carrier through a pivot and extending downwardly there of, means forming an elevator mounted for movement in a vertical direction toward'and away from saidleg said legmeans and elevator having parts which interengage to form a generally rigid joint therebetween said elevator toward said leg; operable through said joint to" said joint is connected for pattern section in apath of movement, cluding means forming a lever projecting'laterally' of'the pivot of saidleg means and transversely of said path of a stop in the path of move ment of said lever against which said lever is engageabl,

6. Apparatus for forming shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores from sand and the like comprising, a pattern having an upper section and a lower section which are separable from each other along a gensame, the pivotally mounted legs and said elevator having parts which cooperate to form a generally rigid joint therebetween responsive to interengagement of said legs and elevator, said elevator being operable through said said carrier for elevating said upper pattern section away from said lower pattern section in a path of movement, said carrier including means forming a lever projecting laterally of said pivoted legs and transversely of said path of movement, a stop in the path of movesaid elevator being lowerable for returning said upper pattern section into engagement with said lower pattern section, said lower pattern section forming a stop restraining continued movement of said carrier when said pattern sections are engaged, said joint being detachable by continued downward movement of said elevator away from said legs.

7. The combination set forth frame portion secured to in claim 6 wherein said said upper pattern section is said legs extending down wardly of portions of said frame disposed outwardly of the central portion, said legs being spaced outwardly of the outer walls of said pattern when said sections thereof are engaged on said parting line.

8. Apparatus for molding shaped articles such as foundry molds and cores from sand or the like comprising, a pattern having an upper section and a lower section which are separable along a generally horizontal parting line, a conveyor upon which the lower pattern section is supported, said conveyor being movable in a generally horizontal direction to transport said pattern tor at said station movable in a vertical direction toward,

and away from said leg means, said elevator and leg means having parts which are interengageable responsive to upward movement of said elevator when said pattern is at said station, said parts when interengaged forming a generally rigid joint, said elevator being operable through said joint and carrier to elevate said upper pattern section away from said lower said pattern section in a .path of movement, said carrier including means forming a lever projecting laterally of the pivot of said leg means and transversely of said path of movement, means forming a stop in the path of movement of said lever against which said lever is engageable, said lever and stop cooperating upon contiued movement of said leg means in said path of movement to tilt said portion of said carrier and said upper pattern section relative to said lower pattern secti of said pattern from a shaped article, said elevator being lowerable for returning said upper pattern section into engagement with said lower pattern section, said lower 5-; pattern section forming a stop restraining downward movement of said carrier when said pattern sections are engaged, said joint being detachable by continued downward movement of said elevator away from said legv means whereby to facilitate horizontal mold-conveying movement of said conveyor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS on, whereby to facilitate removal 

